Why Are My Dog's Eyes Cloudy?

Cuteness Team

Your dog's eyes should be clear, but if you notice his eyes are becoming milky or turn cloudy quickly, the causes could be varied. It may be something simple that eye drops will help, or it could be glaucoma, which can be life-threatening. Many of the causes are more common in older dogs, but depending on your dog's medical history and genetic background, a younger dog can still develop an eye disorder that may cause cloudiness.

Causes of Cloudy Eyes

There are many potential causes of cloudy eyes. The most common causes include dry eye, cataracts and glaucoma, but other potential causes can include cancer, corneal ulcers and uveitis (inflammation of the iris). Cataracts, glaucoma and uveitis actually turn the lens cloudy, whereas corneal ulcers, in-grown eyelids and dry eye cause scarring to the cornea, giving the appearance of a cloudy eye.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Your dog may have a white or cloudy lens, red eyes, vision loss, inflamed cornea and eye discharge. You may see your dog rubbing at the afflicted eye or squinting; the eye may even be painful. Your vet can diagnose what is causing the cloudy eyes in your dog, so you can work out a treatment plan, which may include temporary antibiotics or a life-long series of medications.

Whitney Lowell has been writing online since 2007. She writes for a variety of online publications and across a wide range of topics and niches. She has experience with animal rescue, dog training, pet health and breeding reptiles.